grew up in East Tennessee and our family vacationed all the time in Pigeon Forge/ Gatlinburg/Wears Valley area. We loved going and experiencing everything the area had to offer. We have continued the tradition and bring our kids to the area several times a year. We are always trying new things and still visiting our favorites. Below are some of our favorites along with some of the favorites from the various local social media pages.

NEAR BY GROCERY STORE:
NAME:
Kroger
ADDRESS:
220 Wears Valley Rd, Pigeon Forge, TN
DISTANCE:
9 miles

NAME:
Publix
ADDRESS:
2656 Parkway, Pigeon Forge, TN
DISTANCE:
13 miles

NAME:
Food City
ADDRESS:
3064 Teaster Ln, Pigeon Forge, TN
DISTANCE:
11 miles

NAME: Swaggerty’s Farm (Retail Store)
ADDRESS:
2827 Swaggerty Road Kodak, TN 865-225-0229
**If you are looking for cut to order delicious steaks

GROCERY DELIVERY
Smoky Mountain Grocery (https://www.smokymountaingrocery.com/)

SERVICE:
Instacart (https://www.instacart.com/)

FAVORITE RESTAURANTS:
Elvira’s Café (https://www.elvirascafe.net/)
ADDRESS:4143 Wears Valley Rd, Sevierville, TN
DISTANCE:
6.2 miles - Locally owned and great homemade desserts!

Local Goat ADDRESS: 2167 Parkway, Pigeon Forge, TN
DISTANCE:
12 miles - The deep-fried devil eggs are loved by many!

Loco Burro Fresh Mex Cantina ADDRESS: 735 Parkway Gatlinburg, TN
DISTANCE:
18 miles
https://kennedy-concepts.com/restaurants/loco-burro/
- Great Mexican food with fun atmosphere! Also has outdoor seating

Crockett's Breakfast Camp
ADDRESS:1103 Parkway Gatlinburg, TN (
https://crockettsbreakfastcamp.com/)
DISTANCE:
19 miles - Great breakfast! Bring your appetite as the serving sizes are large!

The Pottery House Café & Grille ADDRESS: 3341 Old Mill St, Pigeon Forge, TN (https://old-mill.com/pottery-house-cafe-grill/)
DISTANCE:
13 miles- Great for lunch!

Smoky’s Pancake Cabin
ADDRESS: 4235 Parkway, Pigeon Forge, TN
(https://collierrestaurantgroup.com/restaurants/smokys-pancake-cabin/)
DISTANCE:
14 miles - Great pancakes!!

Wild Bear Tavern ADDRESS: 4236 Parkway, Pigeon Forge, TN (
https://www.westgateresorts.com/hotels/tennessee/pigeon-forge/wild-bear-inn/dining/wild-bear-tavern/menu/)
DISTANCE:
14 miles - Great German food and beer!

Greenbrier ADDRESS:
370 Newman Rd, Gatlinburg, TN (
https://greenbrierrestaurant.com/menu/)
DISTANCE:
13 miles -Upscale restaurant with great streaks & cocktails.

Apple Barn Winery
ADDRESS:
220 Apple Valley Rd, Sevierville, TN (
https://applebarnwines.com/)
DISTANCE:
11 miles - Free wine tasting daily! Located in the Apple Barn Village which also has two great restaurants and general mill store.

Big Daddy’s Pizzeria
ADDRESS: 3053 Parkway, Pigeon Forge, TN (
https://www.bigdaddyspizzeria.net/)
DISTANCE: 6 miles - Great pizza! We also really like Mellow Mushroom 😊

Graze Burgers ADDRESS: 125 Bruce St, Sevierville, TN
(http://www.grazeburgers.com/)
DISTANCE: 13.8 miles -Outside seating and great burgers & drinks

Happy Pinecone Café
ADDRESS: 680 Glades Road Ste 7 Gatlinburg, TN - Family owned and great food

Feaster’s on Teaster’s ADDRESS: 2391 Parkway Suite A, Pigeon Forge, TN - We haven’t had a chance to try it yet but they get great reviews

MASSAGE:
Gatlinburg Mobile Massage 865-250-0676
(https://gatlinburgmobilemassage.com/index.html)

SHOPPING CENTERS:
Tanger Outlet Mall
ADDRESS: 1645 Parkway, Sevierville, TN
https://www.tangeroutlet.com/sevierville)
DISTANCE:
12 miles

The Island in Pigeon Forge
ADDRESS: 131 The Island Dr., Pigeon Forge, TN (https://islandinpigeonforge.com/)
DISTANCE:
13 miles

NIGHTLIFE:
Ole Red
ADDRESS: 511 Parkway Gatlinburg, TN (https://olered.com/gatlinburg/menu/)
DISTANCE:
18 miles - Recommend you go for drinks and dancing 😊
Food is ok but not the best.

Smoky Mountain Brewery ADDRESS: 1004 Parkway #501, Gatlinburg, TN and 2530 Parkway Pigeon Forge, TN - Both locations are great for entertainment and drinks!

ACTIVITES:
Dollywood Theme Park
(https://www.dollywood.com) -
DISTANCE:
13 miles - We love Dollywood especially at Christmas time. Its so beautiful with all the lights. In the summer time, you can see the fireworks they shot off from the cabin porch!

Great Smoky Mountains National Park
(https://www.nps.gov/grsm/index.htm)
DISTANCE:
6.3 miles

Wears Valley Zipline Adventures
ADDRESS: 1911 Wears Valley Rd, Sevierville, TN (https://www.wearsvalleyziplines.com/)
DISTANCE:
5.2 miles

Anakeesta ADDRESS: 576 Parkway, Gatlinburg, TN (https://www.anakeesta.com/) 865-325-2400

Ober Gatlinburg ADDRESS: 1001 Parkway #2, Gatlinburg, TN
(https://obergatlinburg.com/) 865-436-5423

BOATING:
Douglas Lake (https://www.visitmysmokies.com/douglas-lake-tn/)We love Douglas Lake! There are several places to rent boats or jet skis. Its about a 40-45min drive from the cabin but if you love being on the water, I recommend you go for the day. The beauty of the lake and mountains won’t disappoint. Note lake levels significantly decrease in the fall/winter months.

H2O Water Sports
ADDRESS: 1955 Chestnut Hill Rd, Dandridge, TN 37725 (https://smokymountainh2osports.com/) 423-608-0726

Douglas Lake Marina
ADDRESS: 1199 Hwy 139, Dandridge, TN 37725 (
https://mountainharborinn.com/the-marina/) 877-379-1313

Lighthouse Pointe Marina & Boat Club ADDRESS: 1209 Hwy 139 Dandridge, TN 37725 (http://www.lighthousepointemarina.net/) 865-397-7997. We have used them as well as other family members. Great boats and very friendly staff!

Mountain Cove Marina ADDRESS: 1590 Dyke Rd, Sevierville, TN 37876 (http://mountaincovemarina.com/) 865-453-3506

FISHING:
https://www.tn.gov/twra/license-sales/fishing-licenses.html
You can get a fishing license online and also Walmart in Sevierville

English Mountain Trout Farm
ADDRESS:291 Blowing Cave Rd Sevierville, TN (https://www.englishmountaintroutfarm.net/) You can hook ‘em and they will cook ‘em! 865-429-5553

Rocky Top Outfitter
(https://www.rockytopoutfitter.com/) Pigeon Forge, TN 865-661-3474

TUBING/RAFTING:
Tube River Rage (https://tuberiverrage.com/)
ADDRESS:8303 TN-73, Townsend, TN 865-448-7243

Smoky Mountain River Rat Tubing (https://smokymtnriverrat.com/)
ADDRESS: 205 Wears Valley Rd, Townsend, TN 865-448-8888

Big Creek Expeditions (https://www.bigcreekexpeditions.com/)
ADDRESS: 3541 Hartford Rd, Hartford, TN 423-487-0178

Smokey Mountain Outdoors Rafting (https://www.smokymountainrafting.com/)
ADDRESS:3299 Hartford Rd, Hartford, TN 800-771-7238

SWIMMING:
Honeysuckle Meadows (http://www.honeysucklemeadowsrvpark.com/about-us/pool-info)
ADDRESS:3958 Wears Valley Road Sevierville, TN - You can purchase a day pass for $5/person

Popular Swimming Holes https://www.pigeonforge.com/top-5-swimming-holes-smokies/

HORSEBACK RIDING:
Sugarland Stables (http://www.sugarlandsridingstables.com/)
ADDRESS: 1409 Parkway, Gatlinburg, TN 865-436-3535

Davy Crocket Riding Stables
(http://www.davycrockettridingstables.com/)
ADDRESS: 505 Old Cades Cove Rd, Townsend, TN 865-448-6411

Smoky Mountain Deer Farm Exotic Petting Zoo and Deer Farm Riding Stables
(https://deerfarmzoo.com/)
ADDRESS: 478 Happy Hollow Lane Sevierville, TN 865-428-3337

ATV:
Kan Am Fun (https://www.kanamfun.com/)
ADDRESS: 446 East Pkwy, Gatlinburg, TN 912-270-5222

Bluff Mountain Adventures
(http://bluffmountainadventures.com/)
ADDRESS: 2186 Parkway, Pigeon Forge, TN 865-428-7711

HIKING:
I recommend you download the app
“All Trails”
– it ranks the hikes Difficult, easy, etc and provides a great overview of the trail.

Hiking in the Smokys – great resource that also provided difficulty ratings
http://www.hikinginthesmokys.com/difficulty.htm

Mingo Falls (https://www.nps.gov/grsm/planyourvisit/mingo-falls.htm) Mingo Falls is on the Cherokee Indian Reservation (Qualla Boundary), just outside Great Smoky Mountains National Park. No special permits are required for access to the reservation. At 120 feet tall, the waterfall is one of the tallest and most spectacular in the southern Appalachians. The hike to the waterfall is only 0.4 miles in length, but is considered moderate in difficulty.

Access Trail:
Pigeon Creek Trail

Trailhead:
From Oconaluftee Visitor Center, drive south (toward Cherokee) on US-441 and take the second left onto Big Cove Road. At the first stop sign turn left and drive 4.5 miles to Mingo Falls Campground, where the trail begins.

Alum Cave Trail (http://www.hikinginthesmokys.com/alumcave.htm)
Directions to Trailhead:The hike to Alum Cave in the Great Smoky Mountains begins from the Alum Cave Trailhead on Newfound Gap Road. From the Sugarlands Visitor Center near Gatlinburg, drive 8.7 miles south along Newfound Gap Road to reach the trailhead. The parking lot will be on your left. Due to the extreme popularity of the Alum Cave Trail there are two parking lots for this trailhead. To ensure a spot you may want to arrive early during peak tourist season, or on any nice weekend throughout the year.

Cataract Falls Hike (https://smokymountains.com/park/hikes/cataract-falls-hike/)
Directions to the Trailhead:The trail to Cataract Falls is one of the best kept secrets in the Smoky Mountains. This trail, which is less than a ten minutes from downtown Gatlinburg, is only 3/4 mile (roundtrip) and suitable for families with young children.The trailhead, which is directly to the left of the visitor center (looking at it from the parking area), starts off paved, but quickly turns to gravel. You and your group are sure to enjoy the calmly flowing Fighting Creek, dense vegetation, and the beautiful canopy of trees overhead. Even though the trail is less than two miles from downtown Gatlinburg, the crowds will seem a million miles away!

Laurel Falls (http://www.hikinginthesmokys.com/laurel.htm)
Directions to Trailhead:The hike to Laurel Falls in the Great Smoky Mountains begins from Fighting Creek Gap on Little River Road, located 3.8 miles west of the Sugarlands Visitor Center near Gatlinburg. The main parking lot for Laurel Falls will be on your right, with additional parking across the street. From the Townsend "Y" intersection near Cades Cove, the Laurel Falls is 13.7 miles away.

Grotto Falls (https://www.nps.gov/grsm/planyourvisit/grotto-falls.htm)
Directions to Trailhead: From the parkway in Gatlinburg, turn at traffic light #8 and follow Historic Nature Trail into Great Smoky Mountains National Park. Take Roaring Fork Motor Nature Trail to stop #5 where there is a large parking area. Roaring Fork Motor Nature Trail is a narrow, winding, one-way road that is closed in winter. Buses, RVs, and large trucks are prohibited on the road.

Clingmans Dome (https://www.clingmansdome.com/) Clingmans Dome is a popular Park destination. Located along the state-line ridge, it is half in North Carolina and half in Tennessee. The peak is accessible after driving Clingmans Dome Road from Newfound Gap, and then walking a steep half-mile trail. A paved trail leads to a 54-foot observation tower. The Appalachian Trail crosses Clingmans Dome, marking the highest point along its 2,144 mile journey.

SCENIC DRIVES:
Cades Cove (also great for hiking)
(https://www.nps.gov/grsm/planyourvisit/cadescove.htm) An 11-mile, one-way loop road circles the cove, offering motorists the opportunity to sightsee at a leisurely pace. Allow at least two to four hours to tour Cades Cove, longer if you walk some of the area's trails. Traffic is heavy during the tourist season in summer and fall and on weekends year-round. While driving the loop road, please be courteous to other visitors and use pullouts when stopping to enjoy the scenery or view wildlife.

Foothills Parkway (https://www.gatlinburg.com/foothills-parkway/)The Foothills Parkway is a national parkway that traverses the foothills of the northern Great Smoky Mountains in East Tennessee, located in the southeastern United States. The 72.1-mile (114 km) parkway connects U.S. Route 129 (U.S. 129) along the Little Tennessee River in the west with Interstate 40 (I-40) along the Pigeon River in the east. **The cabin is ~10mins from Foothills Parkway. I HIGHLY recommend you take the drive. There are several places to pull off and take pictures. The mountain views are breathtaking!

The Roaring Fork Motor Trail (https://smokymountains.com/park/things-to-do/roaring-fork-motor-nature-trail/
Its name derived from a “roaring” mountain stream, the Roaring Fork Motor Nature Trail twists and turns for six-miles, forming a one-way looping scenic drive through the Great Smoky Mountains. The narrow roadway only allows cars—trucks, trailers and RVs cannot fit on this road.

Harrisburg Covered Bridge (http://www.aboutthegreatsmokies.com/covered-bridges.html)
The Harrisburg Covered Bridge is a historic covered bridge in Sevier County, Tennessee, in the United States. It is located east of Sevierville off U.S. Highway 441. The bridge is a king post truss design and crosses the East Fork of Little Pigeon River